Replacing the Undertaker

[milkman12]

I will save everyone the Undertaker's history, legacy, and historical significance.
What I want to know is granted his legendary gimmick (minus American Badass) which translated well over several era's, whose current gimmick is built to do the same??? Essentially, who has or had a shot of replacing the undertaker?

Preferably, similar to the undertaker gimmick meaning (paranormal, weird, different, etc.)

Not just someone like Cena, Triple H, the Rock.

 

[TootsieBear]

I don't think anyone can replace the Undertaker. He's one of kind when it comes to wrestling, style, etc. For me the closest I can think of today will have to be Bray Wyatt.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I doubt that anyone will come along that will be able to ultimately fill his shoes, as it were. A "supernatural" character in this day and age won't be taken seriously by a good number of fans because a lot of fans no longer are willing to suspend disbelief to that degree. What's most likely is that fans would crap all over the wrestler & character from the start without even remotely giving him a chance to show what he can do. It's part of why it's becoming more difficult for some wrestlers to get over than it was 15 to 20 years ago. During the mid to late 90s, however, fans were willing to embrace such a character even though they knew every bit then as now that it wasn't real, at least to a certain limit. After all, Papa Shango was an absolute joke and it's easy to see why. Not only was it an over the top, stereotypical parody of Voodoo and followers of it, it was just flat out hokey.

Also, you have to take into account that Taker himself was something of a physical rarity as well. A legit 6'8", 300 pound man who not only had a strong presence to go along with size & strength, but who also had a surprising amount of speed, agility and great cardiovascular conditioning who knew how to use psychology and his character to tell a story inside the ring. These days, a lot of fans automatically piss all over a wrestler who shows up on the WWE roster who happens to be significantly over 6'0" and 250+ pounds without giving him a chance. In WWE right now, probably the two top "big men" on the roster right now are Luke Harper & Erick Rowan and they're over as a tag team and as part of Bray Wyatt's "Family", but wait & see how many fans, especially internet fans, start to turn on them if either of them goes single down the line and gets himself a big push.

I don't mean to exaggerate, but there genuinely are a healthy sized number of fans that have what could almost be considered a prejudice against big guys. At the same time, however, it's true that a lot of big guys who come along generally wind up crappin' the big goose egg while the majority of the most promising talent to come up through the business in the past 10 years have been wrestlers who're well under the 240-250 pound mark.

Right now, if there's anyone that could potentially step into Taker's shoes with his sort of enigmatic, mysterious character, it's probably Bray Wyatt. While there's not really anything "supernatural" to his character, his magnetic personality does sort of give off that aura of the character being something "more than human" with all of cultish rants and proclamations. But I don't think there'll ever really be anyone like Taker in wrestling again who'll be taken seriously by a lot of fans.

 

[JoeFromTomsRiver]

I don't like the title of this thread. There is no "replacing" of the Undertaker.

This isn't the NFL, where you can talk about who will "replace" Tom Brady. Someone is going to have to play QB, so that person will be "replacing" Tom Brady.

It's not like the Undertaker had a role carved out for him that can now be filled by someone else. He carved his own role. Part of his "thing" is that he lasted many distinct, different eras. His character survived all of that turnover and changes in creative direction and he was a top guy throughout all of it.

Theres noboby who is ever going to have a career like that again simply because the WWE is not going to change as dramatically or as often as it did during his career.

You can't take someone off the current roster and say "this is gona be our "new undertaker"". It's ridiculous.

And just as far as his gimmick goes, that gimmick gets retired along with the man. He became the gimmick. It wasn't just a costume and music and he changed to keep up w/ the times throughout.

 

[Tyrant25]

The Undertaker can't be replaced.

Fans suspended disbelief for The Undertaker because he was The Undertaker. I think it was the respect that fans had for The Undertaker is what kept his gimmick going for such a long time. Today, anyone debuting under a gimmick like The Undertaker's would get crapped on immediately. Fans aren't willing to give any wrestler who isn't 5'6 and from the independent scene a chance. Even Bray Wyatt got a bit of flack when he first debuted for being "creepy" and "cryptic" before he started dumbing it down. It's ridiculous, because we all know it's entertainment, yet we're not treating it like so.

I think though The Undertaker's gimmick can't be replaced, if WWE wants to give anyone "The Streak", I think it's best to start with the man that ended it, Brock Lesnar. Yes, I know, he's not undefeated at Wrestlemania but maybe they can start at Wrestlemania 30. The only problem with that is that I highly doubt Lesnar would be willing to remain in the company for as long as The Undertaker, plus Lesnar is more useful as a guy to put over others.

If WWE wants to go with someone with a bit more longevity, I'd say give it to Roman Reigns. Big, strong guy who can believably beat anyone.

 

[Jan]

Nobody. Why? The smarks. And yes... the internet. "The new Undertaker appears at Comic-Con with CM Punk. Talks about the Lakers, beeing a fan of The Rock and groving up watching Kevin Nash. Click here for pictures"

 

[JoeFromTomsRiver]

Nobody. Why? The smarks. And yes... the internet. "The new Undertaker appears at Comic-Con with CM Punk. Talks about the Lakers, beeing a fan of The Rock and groving up watching Kevin Nash. Click here for pictures"

AND, he's on Twitter and he argues with trolls who say he isn't even in the same league as the Undertaker.

 

[Merkin353]

There is no replacing the Undertaker but with that being said, I believe Bray Wyatt is a mix between Taker & Mankind. I also can imagine Seth Rollins with sting like face paint or Adam Rose in a gimmick like the Brood. I cannot believe the WWE failed to see the look that Adam Rose has. He has a vampiric look to him not a party look. This Austin Powers gimmick would have worked 10 years ago but it's just not going to last in this day & age.

 

[SacredMesa]

I don't think there will ever be anyone who will replace Undertaker. A lot of people think Taker was just the result of his gimik and his time but a lot of the time they over look everything he put into that gimik to create that aura. I mean he put of a body brace and wrestled with broken ribs just because his character couldn't be "injured." How many people do you think in this day in age will have that kind of dedication, even if they do WWE is pulling people from shows for concussions alone would make it hard to paint the picture of that "invincible" guy that you just can't stop. It's a persona he didn't just play on TV but also had to protect in his personal life, much like Macho-man did.


There is so much that made Taker beyond just having a great character, there was a work ethic and tolerance for pain and hardship that is so rare in this day and age. Taker was a great character because Mark Calaway was an incredible worker with a borderline unhealthy dedication to his craft. He won over fans, and he won over the locker room in a way that really no one else is going to. There will never be a replacement for him.

 

[MartialHorror]

I agree, there is no way to replace him for a few reasons.

1) Undertaker's gimmick should've failed, because it's stupid as hell, but it didn't. It worked because it was the right guy at the right time. But we've seen plenty of similar, absurd gimmicks that never got over. Vince probably has TRIED recapturing that lightning in a battle with plenty of his more bizarre ideas.

2) Undertaker is one of the few wrestlers who has had a long career and stayed with the company, never requiring to change the gimmick. Others have been taken out through injures, have gone on to do other things, or left for other promotions. You can't really predict who will be reliable in this regard.

3) Undertaker was an unusually good wrestler who was a big man, but could pull off some impressive maneuvers. He was also able to do a lot of it even past his prime. Compare that to Kane or especially the Big Show, who were also capable of impressive maneuvers when they were younger but their age eventually got in the way.

4) I could be wrong, but I always presumed that the streak wasn't something they intended. I figured that it was coincidence that the Undertaker never lost at wrestlemania before someone pointed out 'hey, this guy has had 10 wrestlemania wins in a row' and then it became a thing. Apparently Brock conquering it was a last minute decision, showing that they don't really plan that far ahead of time...especially as it's believed fans will forget any past angle after 7 years or so.

So no, they shouldn't try to create another undertaker. They won't succeed and will look silly in the process. If his magic is recaptured by someone else, it would likely be a coincidence.

 

[chicagokmc]

To me what makes the Taker so special is that he didn't stand pat with his character. He evolved, tweaked, went heel to face to heel to face as needed. He even gave up the dead man persona when that became stale and became the American badass. He's even done stints as a Vince kiss-ass. The point is being willing to be what the federation needs you to be, along with great physical gifts, in-ring and mic skills (which improved over time) makes a federation want to keep you around and make concessions for you. WWE did just that.

 

[Loganity]

This generations Undertaker is The Undertaker. Point being, there is no replacing him. I'd assume that's why even in 2014 WWE continues to bring him back every year. It's why until I hear otherwise I'd say there's a good chance he at least tries to come back next year.

There is never going to be a character even remotely close to Undertaker. Even if they somehow came up with a equally unique character there's no way the longevity can be matched. I mean Raw just had there 1100th episode tonight and the only person that appeared on the very first episode that is still considered "active" is Undertaker.

That's really all that needs to be said about him. He was WWE's locker room leader for two decades, and I'm sure he's still the leader when he's around. He's an athletic rarity as well. For a big guy he can move so well, his over the top rope dive is great example of that.

His shoes cannot be filled.

 

[Pedigree1]

Replacing the undertaker??? Us as fans,were treated to once in a lifetime performer IMO.. At 6'10 325 pounds,when he first came in,he moved like a cat.. Had the agility like a cat,and strong obviously as all hell.. The whole supernatural thing about him,was very unique and a first.. I agree with JH,in saying that some fans piss all over a guy who is slightly over 6 feet and 250 or so,without honestly giving him a chance..

I wont bore people with the Undertakers track record we all know it.. Someone though on the other hand,bigger guys have come along and well shit the bed.. Undertaker is someone special,no one will ever replace him not his size,agility,track record,and most importantly the Respect factor he has..

Bray Wyatt is maybe the closest to replace him,but the whole creepy angle thing,fans just really dont take it serious anymore.. Its true,some fans will find fault without really giving the character time to develop! Taker again was and is the total package,someone of his size strength and agility! He can never be replaced

 

[kumarjtk]

their is no another undertaker. He is been in this industry more than 24 years. He give everything to that gimmick. Its miracle to survive in vince creative (except american bad ass). The only man behind him is kane. But now bray wyatt is something related to undertaker gimmick. But we dont know how many years he survived with his gimmick.

 

[mesl]

"Hey Brock, want to work once a year for the next decade.".. And that is how the void at Wrestlemania for an attraction is filled for the next 10 years.

The Undertaker has been a midcard mini-mainevent for so many years drawing equal if not more attention than the pointy end of the card. The WWE doesn't need to recreate the gimic or do something similar character wise. All that is required is replacing the status with something equally entertaining and alluring to the audience. The charm of The Undertaker in recent time has been the rarity of his appearances, he is like Christmas.. It only comes once a year.

Brock might be able do that.. He is a freak, he draws money, he makes people watch .. If you put Brock Lesnar on any Wrestlemania midcard, people will pay to see him. The status is there, the tools are there, Paul Heyman will be there to assist the build.. It is gold.

John Cena... With all the young talent (Bryan, Reigns, Wyatt, Barrett, Cesaro, Ambrose, Rollins), maybe the time has almost come for John Cena to take a backseat on the main event.. The days of him headlining Wrestlemanina are just about be over, perhaps he could take the mantle of The Undertaker at Wrestlemania. People forget just how many years (and rubbish matches) it took The Undertaker to get to the deadmans status. Perhapd Cena may enter the same phase of his career over the next 10 years as he lessens his workload.

22 straight Wrestlemania appearances... That can not be fast tracked.

 

[Dagger Dias]

In terms of the gimmick itself, right now Bray Wyatt comes the closest. His character is creepy, has a dark eerie entrance, and then there's the whole cult vibe that his stable brings. I can see the Wyatt gimmick remaining popular for a very long time. If Undertaker retires permanently, Bray could fill the void of the religious/supernatural star role that Taker filled. From the cryptic promos, to making the fans sing "He's got the whole world" in unison, to blowing out electric lanterns, you need to look no further than Bray Wyatt if someone must fully replace the Undertaker as far as GIMMICKS go. I'd even want to see Bray in some casket matches, give him a chance to really take a chance at potentially replacing Undertaker if the time comes for it.

Now, in the ring though that's a different story. Bray has come a long way from his Husky Harris days but he's nowhere near Undertaker. He probably never will be. Taker was a rarity in that he was bigger but could still steal the show, and did so often. Out of all the new big guys, only Roman Reigns has a chance of filling that void later down the line. Finally, the streak. If anyone thinks THAT void will ever be filled, they've lose their mind. The Undertaker had all of the above, he was a once in a lifetime star. He will NEVER be fully replaced in gimmick, in-ring skill, size, and streak all at once.